Sweet Lambs, Warm Sunshine / Project 52 - Week 4

  Normally, I'm not too fond of drastic temperature changes during winter.  We've seen frost, {lots of} rain, and WARM days all in one week.  But, for a nice change, the warmer days began Friday and led to a very sunny and beautiful Saturday.  I had plans to photograph some newly born lambs.  I spent about an hour with these adorable {and super soft} lambs - and will be sharing the photos on the JLP Facebook page later today.  Here's a quick look:

"At The Farm n.7"
{Captured: ISO 100 / F.4 /  1/640}

  Being outside, after such a rainy week indoors, was much needed.  The warm air and bright sunshine almost made me believe it was Spring.   Not much is in bloom, just yet, but I think it won't be very long at all!  While I walked around, enjoying the warmth and sunshine, I came upon several groups of dandelions.   There's nothing quite like looking {really closely} at a dandelion.  I am always captivated by how much each and every tiny piece will glow and sparkle in the sunshine.  This week's image, definitely captured my mood and the day's spring-like weather:

Project 52 / Week 4:  "Blue Sky Dandelion n.1"  
{Captured:  ISO 100 / F5.6 / 1/1000}

  While the temperature is cool this morning, again, I have hopes of warmer days ahead and lots of brightly colored blooms in the gardens...soon!  I love outdoor natural light photography and can't wait to be outside more and more this year to capture some great images.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

-Jennifer

Rain, Rain & STILL more Rain / Project 52 - Week 3

  Oh, the rain...it's still here this morning.  I'm hearing reports at work of other areas in the West, Central and North East receiving snow and/or ice...and I must admit I'm a little jealous.  Not about the dangerous roads..but missing out of the sparkle of a fresh snow!  Being originally from MO - our winters were always promised at least one snow and several days with sleet.  Here in NC...rain.  I still remember my very first winter here - it rained for a week straight.  There's nothing more frustrating to me than being cooped up indoors with so much overcast from rain clouds.  It proves to be a bit of a challenge for Project 52 as well, since I'd much prefer to step outside at first dawn or a late afternoon sunset to photograph some gorgeous flowers.  I chose to shoot indoors again - but still ended up loving the finished result.
   I was more than excited to see the fresh-cut tulips return to the store this week!  It may be a sign that Spring is nearing...and that means some gorgeous blooms will be here soon as well.  This week, I chose purple and red tulips.  I kept them separated in different vases and checked them daily.  When I first purchased them, the really weren't where I needed them to be for the image I had in my head.  They were tightly closed and hidden in their tall leaves.  A few days later and they were opening up quite magnificently.
 I was on target - I set my space up when the afternoon lighting was spilling through the room's windows.  I chose a vintage mason jar - with a small bit of water to photograph 2 tulips of each color.   I did not like the purple tulips - the petals had opened up a bit too much and the stems were a bit droopy.  For this image,  it just didn't work.  I feel much more comfortable with red/orange/pink tones - so I was in love with this week's final image:

Project 52/2012: Week 3
"Red Tulips n.3"
{Captured: ISO 160 / F3.5 / 1/125}

    This image had every bit of "spring" that I could create myself:  a hint of blue in the glass, the fresh green stems and leaves and the glowing shine on the bright red petals.   This image was taken using natural light from a nearby window which created a small light shadow - I chose not to remove this shadow from the final image because I liked the way it provided depth on the bottom left side.   

    Hoping that over the next week, the weather will clear-up a bit so that I can head outside for some shots of the surrounding area.  As a photographer or artist, do you ever find yourself drawn to one or similar color palettes?  I seem to choose pinks, red, oranges a lot, and am hoping over the course of Project 52 to feel more comfortable photographing other gorgeous colors in nature.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

-Jennifer

Artistic Moods / Project 52-Week2

  I've had a busy week (as normal), and I almost forgot to capture a photograph for Week 2!  This year, I'm committed to staying on task with Project 52. 
  Every week, I purchase a new bouquet of flowers for my fireplace mantel.  I have this lovely white teapot, that displays these bouquets quite beautifully.  This week, I picked a very bright and bold bouquet - I know my mood had a lot to do with this choice.  It was Thursday night, I was near exhausted, but had just received some great news and felt a bit rejuventated, the flowers definitely reflected this mood!  I rarely photograph an entire bouquet, I love to find one or two blooms that stand out and separate these from the group.  When I looked at the bouquet yesterday evening, the flowers that really stood apart were the Alstroemerias.  I knew at that point that these were in the running for Week 2.  In a separate vase I had a small bouquet of petite soft pink cluster roses.  Being undecided, I just HAD to photograph both. 
  While I was processing the final images, my daughter (our resident artist) was overseeing the edits.  I asked for her artistic opinion, the bright and bold Alstroemerias or the soft and light roses.  She quickly decided that Week 2 should be the Alstroemerias....and I value her opinion greatly.  Below is the final image selected for Week 2:



Project 52/ 2012:  Week 2:  {"Alstroemeria Blooms n.1"}
 Photographed: 1.14.12
{Captured:  ISO 100 / F2.0 / 1/30}

    I took one stem of these spotted blooms and photographed them within a vintage bottle I found last year.  I loved the final image for a number of reasons.   I've noticed that I'm drawn to creating very bright images.  The deep rich red petals and long pointed bright green leaves stand apart against a neutral background.  The leaves are really what 'made' this image for me, I love how each one is going in a different direction, curved in their own way. Very similar to how I felt this week - pulled in a million different directions. 

  Do you ever notice how your art will mimic your moods?

 (I'm also in love with the rose images captured yesterday - these will be added to the Facebook page this morning). 

Have a great week!
-Jennifer

It's A New Year {and Project 52 / 2012}

Happy New Year!!

It's been quite a while since my last post, plans for 2011 drastically changed and shifted my entire focus.  But, I'm always ready for new {and exhausting} challenges. 

I'll keep this post as short as possible {Monday mornings are r-o-u-g-h}.  Today, I wanted to share the {re}start of my Project 52 in 2012.  This will be a weekly post containing one image taken during the previous week.  I'll be using this project to further expand my photography, find new inspiration and try new things!  {If you're also participating in a 52 project - please feel free to leave your link - I'd love to follow!}

I am so excited about Week 1's photograph.    There's lots of texture, depth, rich hues and softness - all packed into one image.  I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone with this image, I normally like to keep soft flowers from rich textures...but I loved the finished product!!

Project 52 / 2012:  Week 1 {"Shades Of Purple Blooms n.4"}
{Captured: ISO 100 / F2.8 / 1/160}

Stay Tuned:  More to come each week in 2012!